Pembroke goes on a HockeySpree in the downtown core

Pembroke Councillor Andrew Plummer takes the opening faceoff against Petawawas works supervisor Tom Renauld in the municipal game between Pembroke and Petawawa that begin Hockeyspree on Saturday, Feb. 2.Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Held in conjunction with the City of Pembroke’s SnoSpree winter carnival and hosted by the Pembroke Business Improvement Area (PBIA), the good-natured and fun sporting event sees folks hitting the asphalt and snow for a road hockey tournament, surrounded by other hockey-themed activities creating a celebratory hockey festival in the middle of downtown Pembroke.

Pembroke Street West was closed off between Albert and Alexander Streets, with a pair of road hockey rinks set up for the tournament that featured an open (age 15-34) division and a children’s division. Entries increased this year up to 10 teams from six in 2018. Both round-robin format tournaments featured three-on-three action plus a goalie with the Pilons winning the kids’ division over Pembroke Josh’s Squashes. Taking the open division was Pretty Fly for a 10 Ply, an Ottawa-based team with Ottawa Valley roots, who defeated Yakka Youth from the Salvation Army in the finals. Players on the Pretty Fly team were Matt Lachance, Jon Lachance, Ross Lamb, Matt Seifert and Nigel Madore. In the Municipal Challenge game which began HockeySpree, the Petawawa team, proudly wearing the green and black of the Patriots, defeated the Pembroke team, wearing the Kings’ red and white, for the second year in a row.

“Both finals were really close games, so they were really exciting to watch,” said Heather Sutherland, PBIA manager who together with Bethea Summers, PBIA facilitator, organized HockeySpree. “I was really pleased with HockeySpree this year. In its fourth year, we made some changes to make it a more effective and enticing event.”

Sutherland said the biggest chance was condensing the timeline from a six-hour tournament to a three-hour tournament.

“I found that made the atmosphere a lot more exciting. We have hockey games running in two rinks the entire time, which was exciting and a flurry of activity,” she said.

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Downtown Pembroke HockeySpree 2019

Ottawa Senators alumni Brad Smyth was on hand for Hockeyspree in downtown Pembroke on Saturday, Feb. 2, signing autographs for kids and fans alike. With Smyth in the photo are, right, Natasha Beaulieu and Annie Girard, both of Jeanne-Lajoie school, popcorn provider at the event.Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

During the Municipal Challenge game between Pembroke and Petawawa, Pembroke Councillor Andrew Plummer flips a nice backhand off the snow bank and out of the Pembroke end while Brady DesRochers of team Petawawa tries to block the clearing attempt. In the background on the 'bench' waiting for his next shift is Pembroke Councillor Brian Abdallah.Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

The kids' division was back in the mix for the 2019 edition of Downtown HockeySpree.Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Ice Queens goaltender Eric Manville drops into the butterfly position to make a save during early action at Downtown HockeySpree in Pembroke on Saturday, Feb. 2. Looking to capitalize on the rebound is Jordan Gardner (orange toque) from Yakka Youth while Lana Johnston (green pants) of the Ice Queens looks to clear the ball.Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

Anthony Dixon / Observer and News

The other big change was the addition of Koda Entertainment. Sutherland explained Koda approached organizers about working with them on using the event to help raise funds for the Phoenix Centre for Children and Families. Koda helped create a festive feeling on the street with music playing, game calling and announcements throughout the event.

Sutherland feels the other expanded festival elements were also well received. These included community partners such as Valley Apex Training Grounds, Jeanne-Lajoie school, Equinoxe school, and 42nd Field Regiment, set up outside with information, giveaways and activities.

Also on hand for the event was Ottawa Senators alum Brad Smyth.

“He was super lovely and said he had a lot of fun. Besides chatting with people and taking photos and signing autographs, he played a few minutes with one of the teams and presented the trophies to the winning teams. TSN actually did a feature on him just on Friday night, so it was really great timing along with our event,” Sutherland said.

Moving forward, the focus will be on growing the festival components, Sutherland noted.

“We have the tournament side down quite well now, so we can work on building out some more fun, hockey-themed activities and attractions for the festival side of things. And we will run the afterparty again next time, working on building it up a bit as well with some added fun,” she said.